Twin City motorists should soon notice an increase in road works due to local councils receiving an extra million dollars from the Federal Government. “The Federal Government has provided a Supplementary payment of $1.2 million to our local councils, under the AusLink Roads to Recovery Program,” Member for Herbert, Peter Lindsay, said. “This money was sent to councils last weekend and they have three years in which to use it,” he said. Townsville City Council will get an additional $815,066. Thuringowa City Council will receive an additional $480,138. Palm Island Council will received $25,378. “The extra funding will enable our local councils to reduce the backlog of works that have built up over the years,” Mr Lindsay said. AusLink Roads to Recovery Program will provide $1.23 billion over the four years from July 2005 to June 2009 to local councils throughout Australia. On top of this commitment, a bonus was announced in the 2006 Budget of a Supplementary Roads to Recovery payment of $307.5 million. “Under the AusLink Roads to Recovery Program, the Australian Government provides money directly to councils and they decide which projects to spend the money on. This procedure ensures that work proceeds quickly according to local priorities,” Mr Lindsay said. “Overall, the Australian Government will commit $2 billion to local road improvements in the five years to 2008-09. Together with other spending on interstate roads and railways, the Australian Government will allocate $15 billion for land transport infrastructure projects around the country.”